Tight end Shannon Sharpe caught 815 passes for 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns during a 14-year NFL career with the Broncos and Ravens that culminated with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. Sharpe never lacked an opinion as a player, and he maintains that stance now as a CBS Sports football analyst.

Sharpe, 43, offered his thoughts on a variety of subjects during a recent interview with Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon.

Q: What do you like best about the NFL?

A: I like that they’re playing football and not bickering about money.

Q: What do you dislike the most?

A: A part of me thinks players are a little more selfish, maybe because they get more coverage than we got back in the day. We didn’t have Twitter and all those followers. We didn’t have the reality TV shows.

Q: If you were NFL commissioner, what’s the first thing you would do?

A: I’d still have a broad range of powers, but I might be willing to relinquish some of my power to make the players happy, especially when it comes to the discipline aspect. When I look at the commissioner—and I’ve told him this—I really don’t think it’s his job to try and clean up what’s going on in the NCAA. And I would like to have a real appeal process. If a commissioner hands out discipline, (a player gets) to go to someone who’s not in the commissioner’s office, because I really don’t see if the commissioner is at the top and (he’s) going to appeal to the second or third man that two or three is going to overturn No. 1.

Q: Which current player do you admire most?

A: Having played this game as long as I did, I understand how hard you really have to work to stay on top. If you’re in this league, and you can play very well, and you can do it year after year—guys like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, guys who have been at the top for a long time … I know what it takes, not just during the season but also during the offseason to maintain that level of excellence. Any guy who can play great for an extended period of time, kudos to them.

Q: Which current player would you like to give an attitude adjustment to?

A: I think (Chad) Ochocinco and (Albert) Haynesworth went to the right place (New England) for a reality check. I’ve always said this: There’s 1,900 players in the NFL. We don’t need 1,900 Peyton Mannings, but we don’t need 1,900 Ochocincos either. I think we have to have a happy balance between that side and the other side. That’s what makes the NFL great.

Q: Which current head coach do you wish you could have played for?

A: I’d love to have played for Rex Ryan, Mike Tomlin or Gary Kubiak, who was my offensive coordinator (in Denver) for a number of years. What I like about Rex Ryan is the same thing I loved about Brian Billick: I don’t care what you say, just realize you’re going to have to go out and back it up on Sunday. I talked a lot, and I’d like to think I backed up most of the things I said.

Q: What’s been the biggest change at the tight end position since you retired?

A: Now they put more value on that position. You see more tight ends getting drafted in the first round, you see more tight ends starting to lead their teams in receiving, and I think teams are starting to realize how valuable that position is. He’s no longer thought of as an extension of the offensive line; he’s a valuable receiving commodity.

Q: What’s one thing about you as a player that wasn’t well known but fans might be surprised to know?

A: No one truly has an idea of what you’re like until you’re done. And then for all my teammates to come out and say what a great teammate I was, how hard I worked, that was the biggest thing. Sometimes my persona got in the way of what type of player or person I was, but that’s OK. The guys inside that locker room knew. And then going into the Hall of Fame this year and hearing teammates and coaches talking about you in such a way that they probably never did when you played is real gratifying.

Q: Which player who you played against during your career isn’t in the Hall of Fame but should be?

A: All the really good ones are in the Hall of Fame. But I think the player who had the biggest impact on me from a defensive standpoint was (Chiefs cornerback) Albert Lewis. I felt if I could beat him, an All-Pro, Pro Bowl corner, there’s no way a linebacker or safety could cover me. My goal every year was to get better and better so I could stay consistent with Albert. He won some and I won some. Of all the players I went against, the one who had the biggest impact on my career as far as OK, this is what I’ve got to do to get better and if I can beat him I can beat anybody, was Albert.

Q: Would you like to play in today’s NFL?

A: (laughs) Yeah, if you’re going to give me one of these special quarterbacks. I’m kind of spoiled. I played with a guy (John Elway) for nine years that was pretty good. So if you’re going to give me (Tom) Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning or Philip Rivers, sure. No question about it. I’ll play for the minimum.